Page 31 of Winning the Nightcap

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt. Seems like you’re trying to get some space. I’ll leave you to it.”

“Bec, wait,” I call out. I stand but stay where I am. “Please…sit with me?”

Is this too clingy? I’m second-guessing every move I make, the exact opposite of the way I felt around her last night. Shit, maybe any chance of us working out is already fucked.

She hesitates, but after a moment she sits down a seat away from me, keeping a bit of distance between us. I fucking hate it. She sits there with her perfect body looking like a goddamn dream in that red fucking dress. That dress is going to kill me. I return to my seat, unable to takemy eyes off her.

“You’re beautiful,” I say. “Red suits you.”

She drops her head and smiles. “Oh, Aiden, you’re nervous.”

“I’m not nervous.”Yeah, I’m fucking nervous.

“Well, thank you. I welcome flattery.” She laughs, but there’s an anxious energy emanating off her that wasn’t there last night.

We’re both in our heads now.Fuck.

“Call me naive, but not once did I consider that you might be here for the same wedding as me when we met last night,” I admit.

“Ha, neither did I. I thought I hit the weekend fling jackpot,” she says.

Ouch.Okay, I guess I can’t be too hurt by that. Did I expect anything serious to come from an impulsive weekend with a beautiful stranger while visiting another state? Not really. But the more time I spend with Bec, and the more time I spend in the same room as her but notwithher, leaves me craving more. I know in my gut that one weekend would lead to every weekend.

“Let me guess, you’re not feeling like you won anymore?” It pains me to ask, but I need to know.

She drops her gaze, watching her own fingers twitch and tap on the glass of her drink. I’m not the only one who seems to have misplaced the confidence we both wore last night. Maybe it’s the loss of anonymity we had when we were unconnected strangers with an undeniable, unexplainable connection.

“I’m…I’m not sure, Aiden. Doesn’t it all seem a little…I don’t know, complicated?”

Yes. But for once, I think I’d welcome a little bit of complication into my life if the complication were her.

“I think it’s a different opportunity than I originally thought,” I say.

She lightly scoffs, her eyebrows raising at me, and I realize that I might have just sounded like a total sleazeball.

“Sorry, that came out wrong. What I mean is that last night, I thought I met a stranger who’s intriguing, funny, and sexy as fuck. Instead, I findout she’s also important to people I care a lot about. You being in the same wedding was a shock, but if anything, it makes me want to get to know you more.” I take the leap and lay it all out there. Something inside propels me forward, causing me to lean in further instead of retreating, instead of doing what’s safe. My stomach is in knots, unsure if risking transparency like this will pay off and get me a real shot at getting to know Bec better.

The conversation lulls, and I can feel my heartbeat in my throat. I just met this girl. Why am I so invested in seeing if this goes somewhere? Bec sighs and looks out over at the skyline, avoiding my stare completely.

“I can’t say I totally disagree with you. But I…I don’t think I’m ready for something like this. I mean, we live in different cities. Different states, right? And before, when we didn’t realize we were both here for Ellie and Dom, things were different. It’d probably be easier if we didn’t push for anything more to happen between us. I don’t want to distract at all from Ellie’s big day or make anything weird.”

Does she raise valid points? Sure.

Do I still think they’re bullshit? Sure fucking do.

Because I know Dom, and I’m starting to know Ellie. Not as well as Bec does, but I don’t think either of them would have a problem with us exploring this. The distance, sure that’s not ideal, but what’s the harm in talking more to see if it’d be worth the extra effort? Something tells me Bec would be more than worth it. I can’t resist wanting to hold onto the way she makes me feel for as long as she allows.

“I understand not wanting to put Ellie and Dom in the middle of anything, especially during a weekend like this. And yeah, I live in Detroit. I’m not looking to trap or trick you into anything. I just…” Feeling frustrated, not able to find the right words to communicate the ache I feel in my gut when I imagine this being as far as things go. Physical connection aside, I just want to see her again. Running my fingers through my hair, I go on. “I don’t feel right walking away from you just yet. I know we only met yesterday, but this feels…I don’t know, Bec. Does it feel differentto you? Is that just me?”

She smiles softly at me. Fuck, is that pity in her eyes?

“Aiden, I’m sure you’re a really great guy. I mean, if things were different, maybe. A different time, different place, different circumstances. I think we’re better off if we just focus on Ellie and Dom this weekend and just forget about last night.”

And there it is. Over before we’ve even begun. I can only offer a soft smile and a quick nod in response before she quietly walks away. Call me irrational, but I know that this feeling is unlike anything I’ve ever felt for someone. Do I wish Bec would give me a chance? Of course. But I’ll honor her choice and do my best to keep my eyes to myself tomorrow and keep from asking myself…what if?

Except that doesn’t work. I keep a respectful distance; all of our interactions are surface level and friendly during the wedding. But all the while, my mind races, imagining all that could be between us. When I pack up and leave Columbus on Sunday, I can’t fight the hollow feeling that settles in my gut knowing I fucked up something that had the potential to be great with a one-in-a-million woman.

Chapter Twenty-One

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